The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 471: "You’ve Had Quite a Bit--The Poison Will Take Effect in a Few Days"

Chapter 471: "You’ve Had Quite a Bit--The Poison Will Take Effect in a Few Days"

Chu Shuo reacted quickly, smiling and saying, "Of course I should offer a salute. Prince of Wu’an is of noble birth, a person of great status, while I’m just a lowly merchant, making some dirty money. It’s my honor to pay respects to Prince of Wu’an."

Ye Chengyan’s gaze deepened. Though he didn’t like the Chu family, Chu Shuo’s words made him feel somewhat at ease.

Xie Beihan chimed in at the right moment, "Chu Shuo, why are you standing? Come, sit down."

With that, Chu Shuo sat beside him. Seeing this, Ye Chengyan couldn’t continue making things difficult for Chu Shuo with words.

Though Chu Shuo had lowered his status with his words, it didn’t mean he was afraid of trouble. His family often advised caution, but if anyone bullied them, neither his father nor his brothers would take it lying down.

So, he faced Ye Chengyan with confidence and said, "Yanyan gave me some tea--it’s the hard-to-get Spring Sun Tea. Could you help me taste it and see what’s so special about it?"

Xie Beihan was slightly surprised. "Spring Sun Tea? It’s been all the rage lately. Ah! Why isn’t your tea shop selling it? Then I wouldn’t have to struggle to find it."

No, wait--he wouldn’t need to buy it. Chu Shuo would definitely gift it to him.

In the past, many would send such tea to him as a gift. But now, with his father gone and Ye Chengyan demoted, Marquis Zhenbei’s estate had few visitors.

However, he remained optimistic. With or without power, he had his way of living. Even if others stopped giving gifts, his good brothers like Chu Shuo still would.

He waved for the maid to brew the tea.

"Hold on!" Ye Chengyan suddenly shouted.

Both Xie Beihan and Chu Shuo looked at him in confusion.

"Yan’er, don’t tell me..." Xie Beihan pursed his lips, "You’re planning to hoard all the Spring Sun Tea for yourself?"

Ye Chengyan’s mouth twitched, and then he sighed. "Cousin, what are you saying? I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. We can meet again some other time."

With that, he stood up.

"Don’t go! At least try the Spring Sun Tea before leaving. You don’t have any at your estate, do you?" Xie Beihan called out.

Ye Chengyan took a deep breath and, after a moment of composure, said, "Cousin, there’s no need."

He promptly left, avoiding further embarrassment at Xie Beihan’s hands.

Xie Beihan sighed, "Yan’er must still harbor resentment, which is why he doesn’t want to try your tea."

Chu Shuo said flatly, "That might be the case, but I think Prince of Wu’an’s quick departure might have something to do with you."

"What’s it got to do with me? I’ve been looking out for him, making sure he’s adjusting to his new residence, even visiting him often," Xie Beihan replied.

Chu Shuo was a bit anxious. "Has he... ever expressed resentment towards the Ninth Prince?"

Between brothers, there was no topic too sensitive to discuss.

Xie Beihan replied, "He’s never said it outright, but ever since he moved out of the Crown Prince’s Palace, he’s had a perpetual scowl and hasn’t visited the Empress Dowager at all."

It was clear that Ye Chengyan was still bitter.

Chu Shuo was slightly alarmed. "You should definitely keep him company. If he has a lapse in judgment, it could be disastrous."

"Of course. If he makes a mistake, the Ninth Prince will have him executed," Xie Beihan’s expression darkened. "I’ll keep a close watch on him. I can’t let my aunt experience the heartbreak of losing him."

Chu Shuo nodded.

Their mood was a bit heavy, but when the maid brought out the Spring Sun Tea, they lightened up again, chatting and laughing about various topics.

After tasting the tea, both Xie Beihan and Chu Shuo agreed--it didn’t seem particularly remarkable. How could it be selling so well?

Chu Shuo was utterly perplexed.

He decided to investigate the source of Fang’s Tea Store’s Spring Sun Tea. If he was going to lose, he wanted to lose knowing why.

---

In the carriage, Ye Chengyan clenched and unclenched his fists several times before finally calming his turbulent emotions. Eventually, he closed his eyes, leaned back against the cushion, and silently murmured, "I’m sorry, cousin."

---

Yao Sheng braved the wind and snow, circling the capital as he discreetly planted talismans.

These would come in handy when he attempted to seize another body. Unfortunately, his current body was weak, and after hours in the cold, he was suffering from a blocked nose and dizziness.

When he arrived at Wu’s estate, Wu Changwen ordered his servants to make ginger tea for him to warm up.

After finishing the tea, Yao Sheng felt much better.

Wu Changwen, sipping tea, asked, "The Ninth Prince is always accompanied by his attendants. Even if I manage to lure him to my estate, there’s no way to separate him from them, is there?"

Yao Sheng’s gaze darkened, and he nodded. "Indeed. If his attendants notice anything suspicious, they’ll immediately surround your estate, and we’ll fail."

The key was to draw Ye Siheng away from his guards.

Wu Changwen drank another cup of tea and suggested, "Perhaps we should abandon this plan."

The risks were simply too great. One wrong move, and they’d lose their lives.

Yao Sheng shot him a cold look. "I’ve already prepared the soul-seizing talisman. How can we give up now?"

Wu Changwen sighed and drank a third cup.

Yao Sheng noticed that Wu Changwen had been drinking tea continuously, which was odd.

"What tea are you drinking?"

"It’s Spring Sun Tea, Lord Grand Tutor. Would you like to try it? It’s been all the rage lately--so popular that it’s almost impossible to buy, even with silver." Wu Changwen eagerly offered to share.

But when Yao Sheng lifted the cup and took a sniff, his expression darkened. He examined the tea leaves and immediately exclaimed, "This tea smells like seven hearts leaf!"

"What?!" Wu Changwen jumped up, stammering in shock. "S-se-seven hearts leaf?!"

Yao Sheng’s strong reaction indicated that seven hearts leaf was no ordinary herb.

Yao Sheng explained, "Seven hearts leaf is poisonous and addictive! It resembles tea leaves in appearance and only grows in Border Nation. I never expected someone to mix it into tea. If I hadn’t traveled to Border Nation, I wouldn’t have recognized the danger."

He checked Wu Changwen’s pulse and said, "You’ve had quite a bit. In a few days, the poison will take effect!"

Wu Changwen felt his legs go weak. "W-w-what do I do? Will I die?"

Yao Sheng smirked. "Not while I’m here. Don’t worry." He took out his tools to draw a detoxifying talisman to expel the poison from Wu Changwen’s body.

But suddenly, a glint of excitement flashed in Yao Sheng’s eyes, and he chuckled. "This is a golden opportunity!"

"What do you mean, Lord Grand Tutor?" Wu Changwen asked, confused.

"I know how to lure the Ninth Prince now--or rather, how to distract his men," Yao Sheng said with a sinister smile. "But, Changwen, it will require a bit of sacrifice from you."

Wu Changwen shivered. "It won’t cost me my life, will it?"

"Of course not. I’ll prepare the detoxifying talisman. Once we have the Ninth Prince under control, I’ll cure you," Yao Sheng replied.

Wu Changwen immediately understood--he was to be the bait.

Clearly, someone had deliberately introduced the poisonous Spring Sun Tea among the capital’s elite, intending to harm them. When Wu Changwen’s poisoning became apparent, it would draw the Ninth Prince’s attention, and he would surely send his men to investigate.

Then, everything would fall into place.